Weather warning downgraded as storm curves northwest

THE CODE RED weather alert has been lifted for the Ayayawady Delta and the southern part of the Rakhine Coast, but the weather bureau says severe weather, including rain and flooding, is still likely.
“Ayeyawady Region and Rakhine State can see winds of 40 miles per hour as they are still within the affected area of the deep depression,” said the evening bulletin of the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH).
The weather bureau said that the tropical depression curved towards Bangladesh last night and is now centred at 160 miles north/northwest of the Coco Islands, about 90 miles northwest of Haigyi Island, about 100 miles west southwest of Pathien, about 100 miles southwest of Gwa and about 180 miles west/southwest of Yangon, said the announcement.
The deep tropical depression can quickly intensify into a cyclonic storm within 24 hours and can move in a north/northwest direction, said the DMH.
General Caution
The probable maximum storm surge is about two to five feet at Labutta District in Ayeyawady Region, Thandwe District in Southern Rakhine, weather officials said.
Under the influence of the deep depression, rain or sometimes heavy thundershowers will be fairly widespread in Nay Pyi Taw, Lower Sagaing, Mandalay, Magway, Bago, Yangon, Ayeyawady and Taninthayi Regions and the states of Chin, Rakhine, Kayin and Mon from 24th to 27th October.
Occasional squalls with rough sea will occur along the Myanmar coast. Surface wind speed in squalls could reach 40 miles per hour.
The weather bureau has also warned about the strong possibility of flash flooding and landslides across Myanmar, as the tropical depression approaches the Ayeyawady Delta.
Those living in coastal areas and near rivers have been advised to take precautions against possible flash flooding and high tides.
A strengthening cyclone will unleash heavy rain and strong winds on areas from western Myanmar to eastern India this week.—GNLM